How to create a reenacting group in Oradea

As far as I know, the Infantry Regiment of Beius, was composed of ex-members of the Romanian National Guards of Transylvania.

There was also a Romanian Volunteers Regiment “Horea”, but this was the first unit of the Romanian Legion in Italy. Other units were: 2nd Regiment “Closca”, 3rd Regiment “Crisan” and 4th Regiment “Avam Iancu” (this last unit was never raised). The Italian Volunteers units, composed of ethnic Romanian POWs, dressed in Italian WW1 uniforms, with Romanian markings, came in Transylvania at the beginning of 1919, and joined the Transylvanian Volunteers Corps of Moldavia (1st Regiment “Turda”, 2nd Regiment “Alba Iulia” and 3rd Regiment “Avram Iancu”).

Vasile Dudas’s book “Voluntarii Marii Uniri”, said that in spring 1919 the 1st Romanian Volunteers Regiment “Horea” was transformed into the 97th Infantry Regiment of Odorhei, but I think this is a wrong information because the 97th was never raised. Other two regiments were simply disbanded in 1920.

Concerning your question, I don’t know if there was any connection between Romanian Volunteers Regiment “Horea”, the Infantry Regiment of Beius and the 86th Infantry Regiment. Anyway, the 86th IR was transformed in 1939 into the 2nd Fortifications Regiment, and was disbanded in 1940.

I think you have to choose a Romanian Transylvanian unit, located in western Transylvania, to commemorate the both world wars. For WW1, I think the best option would be a Transylvanian volunteers unit raised in Russia (1st Regiment “Turda”, 2nd Regiment “Alba Iulia” or 3rd Regiment “Avram Iancu”) that also fought on Moldavian Front in 1917, then in the war with Hungary in 1919. For WW2, it could be the 85th Infantry Regiment, that was garrisoned in Oradea until 1940, then was transferred to the 1st Infantry Division, in Banat. The 85th Infantry fought on the Eastern Front, from 1941 till August 1944. In October 1944, this unit was disbanded.

I think is best if you'll start with a WW1 impression, because most ceremonials commemorate the 1918 period. It’s good to start with presentation and honour guard duties on different commemorative shows in Oradea, to come to the fore of the public and attract new recruits. Dragos Diaconu could help you with the uniform: capela, tunic, trousers, puttees, bread-bag, waist belt and cartridge pouches. Then, it would be fine if you could acquire a Mauser or Czech VZ-24 bayonet from antique shops or flea market, which fit with the rifles available in the museum.

Maybe next year your reenactment squad will join us for different historical shows.

Thank you, Kepi, for the infos!!!

We are 4 men gathered for reenactment, and I decided, based on informations provided by you, to reenact 3rd Regiment "Avram Iancu".

I'm going to Bucharest tomorow and I'll stay until Friday.
I'm PM to you my phone number, in order to put me in contact with Dragos Diaconu to take my numbers for the uniform

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DIN TARA MOTILOR EU AM VENIT!

Thanks to Kepi (who adviced me) and Dragos D (who made the uniform),
the first uniform is ready and arrived at Oradea.

We'll reenact 3rd Regiment Avram Iancu from romanian army in ww1.

The uniform in the image is a sergeant, romanian volunteer from Transylvania who joined romanian army in summer 1917, 3rdReg Avram Iancu.

Thanks, guys!!!
Hope we'll see soon!

Congratulation “21 inf”! Your Romanian WW1 uniform fits very well.

Now you could participate at 1st of December ceremonies in Oradea as a Transylvanian volunteer of 1918. I hope that all the members of your group will be fully equipped and drilled in the near future and you’ll join us for the next historical shows.

Congratulations 21inf ! It's always an exciting moment to receive your first reenacting uniform.

P.S: What's the meaning of the green bands on the puttees ?

This post has been edited by Sturmpionier on November 24, 2007 06:30 pm

They simply are the upper laces that fit the puttes bellow the knees. They could be made in any available material (preferably in the colour of the puttes) but is recommended to be not visible.

I'm still learning how to put the putees on my feets

That's why one is upper than the other

The correct WWI belt was black as was all the leather equipment except the boots and captured equipment.
You can disassemble the belt and paint the interior, the rough side, black then reassemble the belt with the black rough side out. Now it will look more authentic than the original brown pebbled exterior.

And don't worrry the putees look very good.

To learn how to wrap the puttees please see the information on this site...
http://www.hardscrabblefarm.com/80th/putting_on_puttees.htm

You may note that Romanian army puttees were not rectangular but they were cut a little bit curved. So you must put the puttees with the convex part up wards, in order to fit closely on the calf of the leg.
An infantryman could have the most unpleasant feeling when his puttees unwrap during a march or in front line, because of a bad putting.

Many thanks, Kepi!

For the first time, I was dressed in my uniform in public, during the celebration of 1st of December in Oradea.

The reaction of the public was great, they apreciated very much the look of the uniform and the initiative.

Large number of retired oficers offered their suport in the future for our reenactment group, after they see today the uniform in public.

Thanks again to Kepi and the guys from R6DG who suported me in diferent ways.

Can we see some pictures?

Gen. Dénes

Of course! One can see what a number of televisions filmed at the event, the images will be probably presented to the public this evening.

As about a picture, one of the uniform it is posted above on this tpoic.

Gentlemen, I'm very glad to present the members of 3rd "Avram Iancu" Infantry Regiment, the reenactment group from Oradea.

I'd like to express our gratitude to all those enthusiastic gentlemen who helped us to reach this point of having the uniforms and training oportunities. Being so many people involved in our suport, I'll mention no name, being afraid of not to hurt one by omitting someone. For all those who help and suported us, a warm "Thank you!"

So, here we are:

This post has been edited by 21 inf on April 12, 2008 11:26 am